Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;MOZA RT 01&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar characterized by a daisy type inflorescence, a consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 45 days of short day length, a free branching habit, a consistent natural season flowering habit during the first two weeks of September, and dark purple/red ray florets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Dendranthema morifolium andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘MOZA RT 01.’

[0002] The new cultivar is a product of induced mutation by radiation.The new cultivar originated by exposing an entire plant of theChrysanthemum cultivar ‘MZT TMP8’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/243,748) to radiation. This cultivar was discovered and selected bythe inventor in November 1998.

[0003] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by apical tip cuttingand meristem tissue culture was performed in Oxnard, Calif. and hasshown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE IVENTION

[0004] The cultivar ‘MOZA RT 01’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MOZA RT 01.’ Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘MOZA RT 01’ as a new anddistinct Chrysanthemum cultivar:

[0006] 1. Daisy type inflorescence;

[0007] 2. Consistent flowering response to short days, bloomingconsistently after 45 days of short day length;

[0008] 3. Free branching habit;

[0009] 4. Consistent natural season flowering habit during the first twoweeks of September; and

[0010] 5. Dark purple/red ray florets.

[0011] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the parentcultivar, ‘MZT TMP8’ in most horticultural characteristics, howeverplants of the new cultivar differed from plants of the cultivar ‘MZTTMP8’ primarily in ray floret color, number of ray florets, and numberof disc florets. The new cultivar ‘MOZA RT 01’ has darker, more reddishpurple ray florets than the parent cultivar. The new cultivar has fewerray florets than the parent cultivar, with an average of 80 floretscompared to the parent's 110 florets, in similar cultural conditions.The new cultivar also has more disc florets than the parent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BOTANICAL

[0012] The photograph shows a plant of the new cultivar which was grownin a 2-gallon container. A single cutting was grown in the container,and the plant was grown in outdoor field conditions.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in a commercial field in Oxnard,Calif. during the month of September 2000. The growing temperatureranged from 60° to 65° F. at night to 70° to 85° F. during the day.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalflowering types.

[0014] Botanical classification: Dendranthema morifolium cultivar ‘MOZART 01’

[0015] Commercial classification: Garden-type Chrysanthemum

[0016] Parentage: Induced mutation of Dendranthema morifolium cultivar‘MZT TMP8’

[0017] Propagation

[0018]Time to rooting.—7 to 14 days at approximately 21° C.

[0019]Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous

[0020] Plant

[0021]Growth habit.—mounding herbaceous perennial

[0022]Height.—Approximately 25 cm

[0023]Growth rate.—Moderate

[0024]Branching characteristics.—Free Branching

[0025] Foliage

[0026]Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate single Average Length: Approximately6.5 cm Average Width: Approximately 3.5 cm Shape of blade: Ovate Apex:Acuminate Base: Attenuate Attachment: Stalked Margin: Serrate Texture oftop surface: lightly pubescent Texture of bottom surface: lightlypubescent Color: youngfoliage upper side: Near 137A young foliage underside: Near 137B mature foliage upper side: Near 137A mature foliageunder side: Near 137B venation upper side: Near 137C venation underside: Near 137D

[0027]Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 2.0 cm

[0028] Bloom

[0029]Inflorescence.—Flowering habit: induced by darkness period greaterthan 13.5 hours, approximately 45 days of appropriate day lengthrequired to induce and develop blooms Inflorescenceform: DaisyNaturalflowering season: Approximately the first two weeks of SeptemberNumber of inflorescences per stem: Approximately 9 Inflorescencediameter: Approximately 4.5 cm Inflorescence depth: 1.5 cm Discdiameter: 1.5 cm Inflorescence longevity on plant: Approximately 18-22days Persistence: Persistent

[0030]Ray florets.—Appearance: Matte Texture: Smooth Average Number perflower: Approximately 80 Shape: Oblanceolate Margin: Entire Apex: ObtuseLength: Approximately 2.0 cm Width: Approximately 0.5 cm Color: uppersurface at first opening: Near 59A upper surface at maturity: Near 59Dupper surface at fading: Near 60A under surface at first opening: Near79A under surface at maturity: Near 70B under surface at fading: Near70B

[0031]Disc florets.—Appearance: Shiny Texture: Smooth Average number perflower: Approximately 200 Shape: Cylindric Apex: Obtuse Average Length:Approximately 0.7 cm Average Width: Approximately 0.1 cm Color: at firstopening: Near 46A at maturity: Near 16A at fading: Near 22A

[0032]Peduncle.—Length: at terminal end (shortest): Approximately 4 cmat lateral end (longest): Approximately 6 cm Strength: Moderate Color:Near 137C Habit: Erect

[0033]Inflorescence bud.—Length: Approximately 0.8 cm Diameter:Approximately 0.8 cm Form: Globular Color: Near 138A

[0034]Sepals.—Appearance: Matte Texture: Lightly pubescent Number:Approximately 30 to 40 Shape: Ovate Margin: Entire Apex: Acute Color:upper side: Near 137B under side: Near 137B

[0035] Reproductive Organs

[0036]Ray florets.—Pistillate: Number ofpistils per flower: 1 Stigmashape: 2 branched Stigma color: Near 7D Stigma length: 0.6 cm Stylecolor: Near 7D

[0037]Disc Florets.—Pistillate: Number ofpistils per flower: 1 Stigmashape: Cylindric Style length: 0.5 cm Staminate: Number of stamens perflower: Approximately 5 Anther shape: Tubular Anther color: Near 14CPollen color: Near 15A ‘MOZA RT 01’: Table of R.H.S. Color Codes FOLIAGELeaf young foliage upper surface Near 137A young foliage under surfaceNear 137B mature foliage upper surface Near 137A mature foliage undersurface Near 137B venation upper surface Near 137C venation undersurface Near 137D BLOOM Ray Florets upper surface at first opening Near59A upper surface at maturity Near 59D upper surface at fading Near 60Aunder surface at first opening Near 79A under surface at maturity Near70B under surface at fading Near 70B Pistillate: Stigma Near 7DPistillate: Style Near 7D Disc Florets at first opening Near 46A atmaturity Near 16A at fading Near 22A Staminate: Anther Near 14CStaminate: Pollen Near 15A Peduncle Near 137C Inflorescence Near 138ABud Sepals upper surface Near 137B under surface Near 137B

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemumplant named ‘MOZA RT 01’ as herein illustrated and described.